Summer at City
As the Father Has Sent Me…

John 20:21
“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you”

Philippians 2:5-8
“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross.”


“Kenosis is not a surrender of the divine attributes; kenosis defined as self-giving or self-donation is the premier expression of God’s nature – of God’s love and grace – seen most clearly on the Cross.”… Bradley Jersak


Philippians 2:9-11
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”


We bear the nature of God when we choose not to grasp for power and control but instead choose to empty ourselves and live in obedience and in surrender to God.


“God’s command was not about putting us in our place but, rather, lifting us to the image of the divine. He yields power to us by giving us the dignity of choice. Then by consenting to lay that power down, we become like Him!” Jersak adds, “What if kenosis – self-emptying power, self-giving love and radical servant-hood – expresses the very nature of God!”… Bradley Jersak


That’s how he is sending us – in obedience and full surrender. “Self-emptying power, self-giving love and radical servant-hood.”


Exodus 34:6-7
“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin”


Jesus is among us as a servant, not lording it over others, leading by example, humble, as a child, as the younger, as the last, as the least, using no force, no selfish ambition, making for himself no reputation, he was human so we too can be authentically human, obedient, even to death on the cross, experiencing resurrection. This is the nature of Jesus and as the Father has sent Jesus, He is sending us. (Gayle Erwin, The Jesus Style)


John 20:22
“‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”